"In a bipartisan way, we put our money where our mouth is," board member Carlo Robustelli, who proposed the 35 percent designation, told The Pantagraph after the meeting at the Government Center.

"It demonstrates to the community...that we are not taking our foot off the pedal to provide services to people who desperately need them," he said.

The board voted, 19 to 0, with member Lyndsay Bloomfield abstaining, to impose a tax of 3.75 percent on sales of cannabis in unincorporated areas of the county and 3 percent on sales in municipalities. Robustelli's amendment to designate 35 percent of revenue for community-based mental health services was a part of that motion.

The tax rates are allowed by the state as part of the legalization of adult-use, recreational cannabis, effective Jan. 1 this year. The tax would not be imposed on people approved to buy medical cannabis.

But member Chuck Erickson responded "I don't think our little charge will drive people to the black market."

Erickson said cannabis legalization will increase costs, including for the sheriff's department, and it was prudent for the county "to try to recoup our cost."

Robustelli argued that 35 percent of tax receipts should be dedicated to mental health programs to continue the county's support of behavioral health programs.

Until Tuesday night, the county didn't have a sales tax from which to dedicate money for behavioral health programs, he said. "I saw this as an opportunity," Robustelli said.

About one-third is an appropriate amount, leaving dollars for other programs, he said. He said the county Behavioral Health Coordinating Council could make funding recommendations to the county board and he mentioned housing, case management support and psychiatric services as among programs that could be funded.

"I am strongly in favor of this and see it as an avenue to gain more funding," said member Laurie Wollrab.

But some board members, including William Caisley and George Wendt, questioned "tying the hands" of future county boards to a specific percentage figure. Other members responded that percentage figures could be adjusted in the future.

Wendt, Gerald Thompson and Catherine Metsker said no one knew yet what the specific costs of cannabis legalization would mean to the county or how much money the tax would bring in.

While Robustelli's amendment passed 14 to 5 with Bloomfield abstaining, when the amendment was added to the overall sales tax motion, it passed 19 to 0 with Bloomfield abstaining.

In a related matter, the board amended the county's personnel policy to make clear that the county has zero tolerance for drug (including cannabis) and alcohol consumption on county property.

In other business, the board approved a collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees for county highway department employees that called for 2 percent wage increases this year, 2.25 percent in 2021 and 2.25 percent in 2022.

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Dispensary agent Lea Oblena wears a temporary tattoo of a marijuana plant while helping a customer at Dispensary33, in the 5000 block of North Clark Street in Chicago, on Jan. 1, 2020, in Chicago. The cannabis store opened for business to sell recreational weed at 6 a.m.

John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune

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Brian Hopkins, left, smokes a joint containing legally purchased marijuana along with friend Joseph Weaver at his home in Calumet City on Jan. 1, 2020. The marijuana was purchased at the Mission Dispensary store in Chicago.

Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune

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Brian Hopkins lights up a joint containing legal marijuana at his home in Calumet City on Jan. 1, 2020. The marijuana was purchased at the Mission Dispensary store in Chicago.

Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune

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Glenn Perkins shows off a container containing legally purchased marijuana at a home in Calumet City on Wednesday. The marijuana was purchased at the Mission Dispensary store in Chicago.

ANTONIO PEREZ, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

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As a new era in Illinois begins, Joseph Weaver smokes a joint containing legal recreational marijuana at a home in Calumet City on Jan. 1. Illinois is the 11th state to allow legal sales of recreational marijuana to adults.

ANTONIO PEREZ, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

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A customer pays for an order with cash on the first day of recreational marijuana sales on Jan. 1, 2020 at Sunnyside Lakeview.

Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune

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People wait in line in the 4900 block of North Clark Street to shop at Dispensary33 on Jan. 1, 2020, in Chicago.

John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune

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Peter Guardalabene, left, offers free doughnuts to people waiting in line to shop at Dispensary33, 5001 N. Clark St., on Jan. 1, 2020, in Chicago.

John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune

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People wait in line Wednesday to purchase recreational cannabis at Sunnyside, 1704 S. Neil St., Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.

CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW

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People wait in line Wednesday morning to purchase recreational cannabis at Sunnyside.

CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW

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Champaign's Darrian Boyd, left, and Emma Allen wait in line on Wednesday at Sunnyside on 1704 S. Neil St. C, in Champaign. Several hundreds waited for several hours to purchase legal recreational cannabis. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.

CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW

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Champaign Deputy Mayor Tom Bruno talks with media on Wednesday at Sunnyside on 1704 S. Neil St. C, in Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.

CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW

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Bloomington's Nathan Guevara, 28, was first in line to purchase recreational cannabis on Wednesday at Sunnyside on 1704 S. Neil St. C, in Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.

CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW

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Nathan Guevara was first in line Wednesday to purchase recreational cannabis from inventory manager Justine Warnick at Sunnyside, 1704 S. Neil St., Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.

CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW

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Bloomington's Nathan Guevara, 28, was first in line to purchase recreational cannabis on Wednesday at Sunnyside on 1704 S. Neil St. C, in Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.

CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW

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A line waits to purchase recreational cannabis wraps around the building at NuMed Urbana on 105 E. University Ave in Urbana. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.

CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW

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A line waits to purchase recreational cannabis early on Wednesday at Sunnyside on 1704 S. Neil St. C, in Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.

CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW

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A line waits to purchase recreational cannabis early on Wednesday at Sunnyside on 1704 S. Neil St. C, in Champaign. Only 35 medical cannabis stores statewide have been authorized to open for recreational sales.

CLAY JACKSON, HERALD & REVIEW

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Erickson

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Contact Paul Swiech at 309-820-3275. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_swiech.

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